Mass Effect 3 has been receiving quite a lot of criticism since the day it was available for pre-order. From the bungled pre-order offer to their Day 1 DLC fiasco to the outcry over the blatantly slaughtered ending, Mass Effect fans have been quite rabid in expressing their displeasure – particularly about the way the game ended. Some of the horde have taken the route of Meta Critic bombing – and one fan has gone ahead with a FTC complaint.

Now, it looks like BioWare have caved to fan pressure and have just published a press release informing of a new DLC that’s scheduled to be out soon. The DLC will be free and will be known as Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut.

Mass Effect™ 3:Extended Cut, a downloadable content pack that will expand upon the events at the end of the critically acclaimed Action RPG. Through additional cinematic sequences and epilogue scenes, the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut will give fans seeking further clarity to the ending of Mass Effect 3 deeper insights into how their personal journey concludes. Coming this summer, the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut will be available for download on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC for no extra charge.

“We are all incredibly proud of Mass Effect 3 and the work done by Casey Hudson and team,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-Founder of BioWare and General Manager of EA’s BioWare Label. “Since launch, we have had time to listen to the feedback from our most passionate fans and we are responding. With the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut we think we have struck a good balance in delivering the answers players are looking for while maintaining the team’s artistic vision for the end of this story arc in the Mass Effect universe.”

Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series added, “We have reprioritized our post-launch development efforts to provide the fans who want more closure with even more context and clarity to the ending of the game, in a way that will feel more personalized for each player.”

Now I’m a huge fan of the Mass Effect series, completed all the games and even though I did not like the ending, I do not like this move. As a game designer, you should either own up to the decisions that you have taken and stand by it, or get it right. Fan feedback is important, however the idea that a game developer is willing change the ending of a game to satisfy some section of fans is not something I’d like to see.

And oh, if you’re like fellow techie-buzz gaming fanatic Kaushik who’s been waiting for Mass Effect 3 price cuts, you might want to know that the “free” DLC offer is valid till April 2014.